Don't look now but The University of Memphis Tigers are only one game out of first place in Conference USA.
The Tigers (11-9 overall, 4-2 in C-USA) pulled out their fourth conference win of the season against the Depaul Blue Demons (12-5, 4-2) by a final of 68-55.
Fans watching the game saw the evolution of two Tigers, one which was expected, but the other may surprised.
Freshman guard Darius Washington and senior center Duane Erwin logged 38 and 36 minutes respectively and it seemed each minute brought more confidence.
"I thought in the first half Red (Erwin) did terrific and little Darius is playing well (with) seven assists and three turnovers," said head coach John Calipari.
Erwin started the game on a shooting tear, hitting jumper after jumper just beyond the free throw line.
"I felt invincible," Erwin said. "When I looked toward the goal I was ready to shoot every shot - even when I was out toward the three - but I just didn't want to get off my roll."
Erwin's shooting and the passing of Washington helped the Tigers to an early 20-8 lead.
However, sharp-shooting Depaul guards Sammy Mejia and Drake Diener whittled the lead down to one by halftime 32-31.
In the second half, the Tigers turned up the defensive intensity which produced transition baskets and a larger lead.
A layup, foul and converted free throw by Washington gave the Tigers a six point lead with 6:13 left.
The defense of the Tigers - especially Erwin - held Depaul's star forward Quemont Greer to only four shots in the second half and 14 points on 5 of 19 from the field. Greer averaged 21 points per game going into tonight's game.
In the game's last three minutes the Tigers never let the Blue Demons within five points of the lead.
The game was sealed when senior guard Anthony Rice rebounded a Tiger missed free throw with 1:26 left.
Tonight's win was as much of a team effort as any this year. Four players scored in double figures, pushing their record to 8-5 when doing so.
"Today, a guy like Rodney Carney who didn't have it offensively went in and defended and rebounded at the end and it shows a lot about our team," Calipari said. "Rodney - at the end of the game - comes up with the plays, the rebounds and the balls that helped us win the game."The play of Washington is increasingly becoming a key to The U of M's success.
The Tigers are now 7-1 when Washington has more assists than turnovers this year.
Getting teammates involved seems to be important to the team concept."Each game somebody steps up and that's really good because it doesn't put pressure on one guy," said Washington.
The Tigers will hope to capture lightning in a bottle as they look to avenge a heart-breaking loss to the TCU Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-3) tomorrow night in Forth Worth, Texas.
"We owe them one," said Erwin. "We might win or we might lose, but they're not going to like it either way it goes. We're going to beat them old fashioned. I'm going out to get 20 (points) and 20 (rebounds) if I can. You can write that down and put it in the paper, I'm going out there for 20 and 20."
